Carole, Support Services Manager

I spent the majority of my working career with Surrey County Council; working in a community mental health team in various roles. In 2008 I was asked to oversee a mental health rehabilitation unit in Staines and this is when I first came in contact with Ability. This service was put out to tender and Ability won the contract.

At this stage in my career I was looking for a change and I liked what I saw in Ability. I believed in the same values as they did and I felt their ethos of putting customers first and at the centre of their own care and support was a journey I wanted to go on. An opening became available for a Team Leader role, so I applied and was successful.

In my first role with Ability, I oversaw two of our services– one in Staines and the other in Bracknell. Then in January 2009, there was an opportunity to become Support Services Manager in Hillingdon and I was again successful in my application.

Since 2009 my profile has increased and I now oversee all mental health services in the London Borough of Hillingdon as well as a learning disability service in Ruislip.

All my services are CQC registered and I hold the registered manager status. One of my main objectives is around CQC compliance and I would have to say that for me, this aspect is the most enjoyable.

Nearly 10 years later I still enjoy working at Ability and being part of this organisation; every day is different and it’s great working with such a diverse customer group.